Sport Throw Training Device

ABSTRACT

A method for training athletes in the art of throwing projectiles using an apparatus comprising a throwing implement attached to the first end of a grounded elastic cord by a hook on which the throwing implement is slideable and rotatable. The throwing implement. may be a handle which contains a wire rope, rotatable thereon, and used for attachment to the slideable hook. The second end of the elastic cord is secured at the opposite to a stationary object. The handle is engaged by the throwing hand of the user to commit exercise in the throwing motion. All motion is natural due to the universal rotational aspects of the throwing implement. In particular, all throwing muscles of the athlete are greatly strengthened by the use of this apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Refer to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/957,356, filed Jul. 1, 2013 to claim benefits.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an exercise machine designed primarily to train an athlete in the throwing of projectiles used in various sports. The machine is particularly relevant to baseball, softball, and football throwing and athletes concerned with developing, training, and rehabilitating any and all parts of the body associated with throwing or overhand serves.

2. Description of Related Art

In the past many sport throw-training devices have been proposed. Many involve handles or balls connected to weights by a cable hanging from a pulley system—for example, U.S. Pat. No. 434,415 to Mogren, October 1938, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,517 to Steggert, October 1992. Other inventions use a cord or cable on retractable reels, instead of weights, for resistance. However, these devices do not promote the proper and natural throwing techniques.

U.S. Pat No. 5,197,933 to Waters, March 1993 shows a guidance track on which a handle is pulled against a weight. Again, this device seems to be too conforming. U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,545 to Sagedahl, et al, June 1986 shows a torque arm resistance means but probably does not allow the proper arm speed to develop.

Various designs using elastic cords have been developed including U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,016 to Higgins, October 1993 but again, there really is no natural athletic movement involved because it is linear in operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,367 to Kaiser, January 1986 is a hand-held body engaging resistance device, but it probably does not give the desired results.

The prior art indicates an interest in developing sport throwing, but each has some disadvantages:

-   -   (a) The use of any weight mechanism is not consistent with the         exercise involved with actually throwing a projectile.     -   (b) The use of elastic cords has been, up to now, generally only         linear exercise.     -   (c) The use of torque resistant arms are limited because natural         arm speed is not possible and the machine may not be economical         to build.     -   (d) Hand-held weights machines are inconsistent in providing the         proper resistance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally comprises a training method that is designed to strengthen and train all the body components that are employed in the act of throwing a ball or other object. The strengthening and training is accomplished by the simulation and repetition of the actual throwing motion against resistance provided by rubber-tubing or elastic cord which is attached to a handle to be gripped and employed by the user in a natural throwing motion. The device allows for differences inherent in the throwing motion, as well as differences in the physical attributes as far as size and strength in most athletes. The device may also be used to perform different exercises that are targeted at specific muscles involved in throwing or overhand serves, however this invention is designed so that the throwing muscles are used sequentially as they would be in the normal throwing motion.

The apparatus includes an elastic cord which is secured at one end to an immovable base. The distal end of the elastic cord is connected to a handle or ball which is engaged by the throwing hand of the user. A coated wire rope is passed through holes in the handle wings and taping the ends to prevent them from being pulled out. A plastic eye snap hook is located at the distal end of the elastic cord and is slideably connected to the coated wire rope. The loop formed by the wire rope is big enough to accommodate a large hand when gripping the handle. Because the hook slides on the coated wire rope the resistance supplied by the elastic cord on the handle moves from side to side and is dependent upon the position the handle is put in by the hand of the user. The center of gravity of the handle is dependent upon this positioning.

The rotations of the handle are in conjunction with the movements of the hand, the wrist, the forearm, the shoulder, and in fact, the entire body of the practitioner. The handle rotates on the same axis as wire rope 30, and the wire rope has some flex which allows for easier rotation of the entire frame, as the user flexes and extends the wrist, as well as internally and externally rotating the shoulders. The handle also rotates transversely or at a right angle to the wire, resulting in vertical movement of the handle and changes the position of the snap hook on the coated wire. This allows the user to supinate and pronate the arm in a natural movement while doing the exercise.

The two different rotational aspects of the handle allow the user to move the handle freely, first into the cocking position, and second into the throwing or delivery phase of the exercise, in a natural and unencumbered fashion. In particular, the device allows the wrist of the user to flex on delivery, and allows the forearm to supinate and pronate as the exercise is being done against resistance. The supination of the forearm, allows the user to feel the weight of the handle and is the key movement in feeling the proper muscle contraction of the throwing shoulder, and precipitates the pronation of the forearm. These movements can be done as the shoulder muscles internally and externally rotate, and as the arm is extending at the elbow, creating the angular momentum of an actual throw.

In an optimal situation the attachment of the elastic cord to the immovable base is placed at approximately shoulder level and behind the user. It is easily repositioned to a different height to match the need of the user and/or to create a slightly different plane of throwing. The elastic cord should be stretched to be taut and pass over the dominant hip of the user as the user faces away from the base.

In the initial cocking phase of the throw the hand should be holding the handle palm down and in front of the throwing side hip, and the forearm should be horizontal. The user begins by turning his dominant throwing side away from the direction of the throw, and the off-shoulder toward the direction of the throw. The body weight shifts to the throwing side foot, and the torso weight pushes down against the back foot.

In the cocking motion the hand and arm follow upwardly and backwardly behind the head of the user, in line with the throw. This happens against the slight backward pull of the elastic cord on the handle assembly. The backward pull is controlled by keeping the wrist in a stable non-extended position as the user externally rotates the dominant throwing side shoulder, and supinates the forearm. The ease of movement into the proper positioning of the hand is the direct result of the plastic eye snap hook being able to glide laterally on the coated wire rope from the outside of the handle toward the inside of the handle, closest to the thumb.

In order to create a whip like motion the user should begin to shift his weight forward as the handle is being raised upwardly in the cocking phase. This movement forward initiates the delivery phase, and is critical to powerful throwing. The torso then rotates, turning into the throw. The throwing arm follows the leading torso movement. The dominant elbow now leads to the direction of the throw and the hand and handle lags behind. The user then pulls the handle forwardly against the resistance of the cord. The palm of the throwing hand goes from supination to pronation, as the shoulder is internally rotating and adducting the arm. The arm is extending and the wrist is flexing the palm downwardly. As this happens the plastic eye snap hook is gliding to the outside of the handle as the follow through is completed.

In a natural way, the device allows the user to supinate the arm and externally rotate the shoulder when cocking backward and to pronate the arm and internally rotate the shoulder when delivering forward. The user is also able to flex the wrist, extend the arm, and to adduct the shoulder muscle in a natural throwing motion against resistance in both directions. The device makes this possible by nature of the universal movement of the handle enabled by the wire and plastic eye snap hook connection and the positioning of the elastic cord to the immovable base.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are:

-   -   (a) To provide a device which exercises against resistance all         the throwing contributors of the body in the proper sequence and         repetitively.     -   (b) To provide a device that exercises the flexion of the wrist         during delivery of the ball.     -   (c) To provide a device which allows for the supination and         pronation of the forearm within the exercise proposed.     -   (d) To provide a device that can be used to exercise the         internal and external rotation of the shoulder.     -   (e) To provide a device where the elastic cord and the throwing         hand do not interfere with each other during the throwing         motion.     -   (f) To provide a device where both supination of the forearm and         external rotation of the shoulder can be done at the same time.     -   (g) To provide a device where the internal rotators and         adductors of the shoulder can lead the throwing motion across         the front of the body as the arm is pronating at follow through.     -   (h) To provide a device which allows simultaneous arm supination         and external rotation of the shoulder, prior to delivery of the         ball.     -   (i) To provide a device that can be positioned at varying         heights, according to the needs of the user, to varying         immovable objects.     -   (j) To provide a device that allows for a full range of throwing         motion through which force can be applied to the ball against         the resistance of an elastic cord.     -   (k) To provide a device that can employ elastic cords with         varying amounts of resistance.     -   (l) To provide a device which may be used by right or left         handed throwers.     -   (m) To provide a device which can be used by baseball throwers,         football throwers, tennis players, volleyball players and others         who use overhand throw and serves, such as javelin throwers and         tennis players.

Further objects and advantages are to provide a device that can be used indoors and outdoors in almost any location. The device is designed with athletes of all ages and abilities in mind. The device is a tremendous tool for increasing throwing arm strength and subsequent projectile velocity. The device is also an aid in rehabilitating the athlete for future sport throwing activities. The device is also an aid in the warm-up routines of the thrower, and is helpful in the prevention of throwing injuries. The device is easy to build, durable, and affordable. Other advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a elevation side view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 a is a partial sectional view of FIG. 2

FIG. 3 is a sequential side view of hand movement in relation to the handle and the position of the elastic cord on the wire rope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally comprises an exercise device that is designed to strengthen and train all the body components that are employed in the act of throwing a ball or other object. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the exercise machine 20 includes a handle-frame 22, FIG. 2. Handle-frame 22 consists of handle 24, handle wings 26(a,b) which fit over handle 24, two spacer inserts 28(a,b) fitted to the inside diameter of handle wings 26(a,b). Inserts 28(a,b) have a central bore through which coated wire rope 30 enters. Each end of coated wire 30 is taped to prevent exit through the bore. Foam grip 32 covers handle 24.

Elastic cord 34 contains a snap hooks 36(a,b) at each end. Snap hook 36 a is clipped onto coated wire rope 30 and is able to glide thereon, FIG. 2. Snap hook 36 b is attached to a stationary immovable base at a height determined by the user. The preferred length and elasticity of elastic cord 34 may vary according to the strength of the user.

Operation of the Sport Throw Training Device

In practice sport throw training machine 20 can be used to develop all phases of the throwing motion. These include the proper stance or preparatory phase, the wind-up or cocking phase, the delivery or acceleration phase, and the follow through.

In the preparatory phase (FIG. 3) the user stands between the direction of the throw and the immovable base. The shoulders may face the direction of the throw. The immovable base is behind the throwing side foot of the user at variable heights. The user grips handle 24, palm down, between the throwing side hip and shoulder.

In the wind-up phase the weight shifts down and back, the torso turns away from the target as the lower body faces the target. In the cocking phase the weight begins to shift forward as the user raises handle 24 to shoulder level (FIG. 3 a) as the arm begins to supinate, slightly. These movements cause snap hook 36 a to glide toward the middle of wire rope 30, FIG. 3 a. This lateral movement is not hindered because of the slideable feature of the attachment of wire rope 30 to snap hook 36 a. The existence of handle wings 26(a,b) allows wire rope 30 to rotate on the same axis as handle 24, FIG. 3.

The positioning of handle 24 determines the position of snap hook 36 a on wire rope 30. Subsequently, this positioning determines the center of gravity of handle 24 and the point where resistant force is being supplied by elastic cord 34.

Handle 24 continues upwardly and backwardly, against the pull of elastic cord 34, to a position behind the throwing shoulder. Torque is created between the shoulders and the lower body as the lower body leans into the throw. Snap hook 34 moves further towards the thumb of the user, finishing the cocking phase with a slight flexion at the throwing side hip and the completion of external rotation.

At delivery, the back foot pushes forward. The weight is now shifted toward the opposite side foot. The handle is pulled as snap hook 36 a is near the thumb of the user, (FIG. 3 b), as the throwing shoulder begins internally rotation and diagonally adduction and the forearm pronates and the arm extends at the elbow. The internal rotation of the shoulder and the flexion of the wrist at follow through is allowed by the rotation of handle 24 on wire rope 30, FIG. 3 c. Pulling on the handle, and the pronation of the throwing arm are allowed by the outward sliding movement of snap hook 36 a on wire rope 30, which at follow through will be toward the pinky finger of the user, where the exercise began. The rotational aspects of handle 24 and wire rope 30 are the keys to the invention. This is the essence of the exercise.

The device allows for natural movements in the throwing motion and this places the proper load on the throwing arm and hand. The load on the arm and hand is placed through the center of gravity of handle 24 by the gliding snap hook 36 a on wire rope 30. The fact that the ball is not released causes the user to complete the follow through with the proper technique as snap hook 36 a slides on wire rope 30, in accordance with the movement of the throwing muscles of the user.

Also, the bending of the torso over the waist forwardly is a very important part of the exercise and should not be forgotten. Thus, the force placed on handle 24 is through the center of gravity as the throwing shoulder is squaring up to the target, and the arm is continuing across and in front of the body, turning toward the non-throwing side. Otherwise no significant exercise is being accomplished.

After the follow through the user recoils as elastic cord 34 contracts pulling backwardly on handle 24. Now the weight is shifted back to the throwing side and the throwing shoulder begins to cock, as the exercise is repeated. The repetitive nature of the exercise, done in the proper sequence, develops muscle memory for throwing consistency and strength. A user is able to develop the proper arm slot for his throwing motion.

Initially, the user should move through the exercise slowly; however, the invention is designed to allow maximum arm speed against resistance. Each individual must find his/her own comfort level with emphasis on starting slowly and building toward 3 sets of 25 repetitions at least 4 times per week. A regular regimen of actual throwing should be integrated with the exercise on the machine.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The embodiment described is selected to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular purpose contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Numerical List of Parts

-   20 Exercise Apparatus for Throw Training -   22 Handle Frame -   24 Handle -   26 a,b Handle Wings -   28 a,b Spacer Insert -   30 Wire Rope -   32 Foam Grip -   34 Elastic Cord -   36 a,b Plastic Snap Hook 

1. A method to train athletes in the art of throwing projectiles, comprising an apparatus which includes; a throwing implement secured to one end of a grounded flexible cord and adapted to be grasped by the throwing hand and pulled against tension; including means for manipulating the center of gravity of said throwing implement; which is necessary for the exercise of all the throwing muscles in the proper sequence.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible cord includes a second end secured to a base.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said throwing implement is a handle.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said means of manipulating the center of gravity of said handle includes a handle frame assembly.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said handle frame assembly contains a wire rope which is inserted into each end of said handle.
 6. The method of claim 5, where in said handle rotates longitudinally on same plane as said wire rope, and the flexibility of the wire allows for easier rotation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible cord comprises an elastic cord.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein said elastic cord is connected to said wire rope by a slideable hook.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said handle is rotatable horizontally and vertically on said wire rope. 